Govt likely to push NSRA Bill in Budget session

Regulator would get legal and regulatory powers on nuclear safety

The central government is expected to table the Nuclear Safety Regulatory Authority (NSRA) Bill in Parliament when it meets again after the recess.

The earlier Bill, tabled by the previous United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, has lapsed. The NSRA, which will replace the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), will work as a statutory authority empowered to issue nuclear safety policies and regulations. The Bill also aims at achieving the highest standards of nuclear safety based on scientific approach, operating experience and best practices followed by the nuclear industry.

An official associated with the drafting of the Bill told Business Standard: “At present, the department of atomic energy is seeking the opinion of various ministries and departments on the NSRA Bill. It is likely to be table in Parliament in the Budget session.”

AERB was established in 1983 under the provisions of the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 through an executive order and it has developed an elaborate and robust regulatory framework for nuclear and radiation safety using the enabling legal powers of the Act and the safety related rules.

“The proposed regulatory authority will be formed through an Act of Parliament providing legal and regulatory powers,” said the official.

The government’s move is crucial. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) last week suggested the Centre should embed the AERB’s regulatory independence in law, separated from other entities having responsibilities or interests that could unduly influence its decision making.

After its 12-day-long Integrated Regulatory Review Services Mission to review India’s regulatory framework for nuclear safety, IAEA also emphasised the AERB should review the implementation of its policy and existing arrangements to ensure it maintains independence in the performance of its regulatory functions.

AERB Chairman S S Bajaj said at present, it enjoys the functional autonomy and its independence has never been compromised. At the same time, he added, IAEA has hailed AERB’s technical competence and independent safety analysis.

Bajaj said AERB will also increase on-site inspections of the all nuclear power plants — operational and under construction — as suggested by the IAEA. There are 21 nuclear power plants with the generation capacity of 5,780MW and seven reactors under construction.

G Srinivasan, former vice-chairman, AERB, said, “Independence of the regulatory body depends on legal and regulatory independence and competence and knowledge of the regulatory body which enables rational and independent decision making. This currently exists in the AERB. The Bill will help create a legal and regulatory framework.”

He also said the issues referred to by the IAEA were known to the government and Department of Atomic Energy. They will be taken care of in the proposed Bill.